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Terms A-L

[Baseline]

An initial set of data and observations that is used as a basis for comparison and for defining change.

[Business Model]

A description and classification of the core aspects of a business, including purpose, business process, target customers, offerings, strategies, infrastructure, organizational structures, trading practices, and operational processes and policies.

[Benefit oriented payment]

The payment for a chemical is shifted so that the user pays for the benefit or function the chemical provides, e.g.: kg of laundry cleaned, m3 of water treated, m2 of area coated, etc.

[Carbon footprint]

The amount of greenhouse gases and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something (e.g. a person's activities or a product's manufacture and transport) during a given period.

[Cataphoresis or Cathodic electrodeposition]

A fully automated process of painting by immersion, which is based on the movement of charged particles in an electric field (paint) towards an oppositely charged pole (metallic surface to be painted).

Chemical Leasing is a service-oriented business model that shifts the focus from increasing the sales volume of chemicals towards a value-added approach. See the full definition.

[CIP]

CIP (cleaning in place): Cleaning of the interior surfaces of pipes, vessels and other process equipment without disassembling it.

[COP]

COP (cleaning out of place): Cleaning of equipment items by removing them from their operational area and taking them to a cleaning station for cleaning.

[Circular Economy]

A circular economy is one that is restorative and regenerative by design, and which aims to keep products, components and materials at their highest utility and value at all times, distinguishing between technical and biological cycles. Source and more insights on the circular economy: EU DG Environment and Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation.

[Core Business]

The primary area or activity that a company was founded on or focuses on in its business operations, and the main source of a company's profits and success.

[Corporate Social Responsibility]

A company’s sense of responsibility towards the community and environment (both ecological and social) in which it operates. Companies express this citizenship (1) through their waste and pollution reduction processes, (2) by contributing educational and social programs, and (3) by earning adequate returns on the employed resources. Source: Business Dictionary.

[Cost-benefit analysis]

An analysis of the cost effectiveness of different alternatives in order to see whether the benefits/possible profits (to be derived from a business opportunity) outweigh the related costs.

[Crude oil]

A mixture of naturally occurring hydrocarbons that is refined into diesel, gasoline, heating oil, jet fuel, kerosene and thousands of other products called petrochemicals.

[Environmental impact]

The effect that the activities of people and businesses have on the environment.

[Evaluation]

The systematic and objective analysis of completed or ongoing activities to determine their relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and impact at a given point in time.

[Green Chemistry]

Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. There are various different approaches to the implementation green chemistry. One well-known example are the twelve principles of ”green chemistry” according to Anastas and Warner, dated 1998. Source: Yale University and Anastas, P. T. and Warner, J. C. Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice. Oxford University Press: New York, 1998, p. 30.

[Green Public Procurement]

Green Public Procurement (GPP) means that public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured.

[Global Product Strategy]

Initiative launched by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) in 2006, to advance the product stewardship performance of individual companies and the global chemical industry as a whole. Together with the Responsible Care Global Charter, it remarks the chemical industry’s contribution to SAICM. Source: ICCA.

[Hazardous substances]

Substances which, by reason of being explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, or otherwise harmful, can cause death or injury.

[Key Performance indicators (KPI’s)]

KPI’s evaluate the success of an organization or of a particular activity in which it engages. Indicators translate complex data into relevant knowledge. Environmental performance indicators are one example for KPI’s, they allow companies to quantify their resource productivity and pollution intensity at any point in time. Indicators are also useful for target-setting and reporting.

[(Product) Life-cycle approach]

The process of managing the entire lifecycle of a product from inception, through engineering design and manufacture, to service and disposal of manufactured product.